More than 150 people filled the historic Centro Cultural de la Raza
in San Diego on May 6 for the opening reception of the Cuban Five exhibit,
“From My Altitude: The Art and Poetry of Antonio Guerrero.” The
event was sponsored by the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five
and the San Diego Friends of Cuba.
The
night was filled with culture, solidarity and most importantly the
movement to free the Cuban Five.
The
event began with a delicious lasagna dinner donated by the Judy
Forman of the Big Kitchen Café. The organizers of the event also
provided plenty of other homemade food.
After
the dinner, the MCs welcomed local poet Jim Moreno who performed one
of his inspiring pieces. The first keynote speaker was Marjorie Cohn,
immediate past president of the National Lawyers Guild and professor
at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Cohn did a great job
explaining the legal defense behind the case and why the Five should
be freed from prison.
Local
artist Tema Quiñonez shared her wonderful voice in a song titled
“Sol Redondo” dedicated to the working and poor people. Later she
would sing an amazing solo of “Homenaje al Comandante.” She was
followed by keynote speaker Gloria La Riva, coordinator of the
National Committee to Free the Cuban Five. La Riva had just returned
from Cuba after participating in their May Day celebrations and
receiving Cuba’s Friendship Medal, awarded to people outside of
Cuba who have worked tirelessly to support the Cuban revolution.
After
solidarity statements from several local organizations, including the
Party for Socialism and Liberation, Unión del Barrio, Friends of
Cuba and the International Action Center, the program concluded with
two more amazing women. Sylvia Telefaro of the African American
Writers and Artists of San Diego shared a fiery spoken word piece
calling for “Freedom!” The final poem was written by Antonio
Guerrero of the Cuban Five and was shared by Muriel Jencks, long time
labor organizer and activist who participated in the famous 15-month
strike by New Mexico miners in 1950. That struggle was made into the
historic film “Salt of the Earth.”
Afterwards,
those who remained in attendance gathered in the gallery for a
solidarity photo that would be sent to the Cuban Five to raise their
spirits and let them know the community of San Diego is fighting hard
for their freedom and in defense of Cuba.
The
exhibit will continue to be on display until May 28, when it will
then travel to Houston, Texas in its tour across the United States to
raise awareness about the struggle to free the Five. A closing
reception is planned for May 27, where an art auction is planned to
raise additional funds.
For
more information contact Abel Macias at 408-219-8891 or
[email protected].
